Mid-Atlantic Fishing

The Susquehanna River

The Susquehanna is one of North America's most famous river systems. The
river provides refuge for a wide range of fish and wildlife. The Susquehanna is
the longest east coast river and the 16th longest in the USA. Along its lower
stretch, a reservoir is formed by the Conowingo Dam.

North Branch Susquehanna River

The river's north branch originates from Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, New
York. As it travels thru through dairy country, the Susquehanna receives water from several
smaller rivers and creeks before merging with the west branch at Northumberland,
Pennsylvania, just above Sunbury.

According to Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, 936 miles of wild brook
trout streams exist within the North Branch Susquehanna River basin. Further
downstream, anglers also fish smallmouth bass, and other species of freshwater fish.

Northumberland to Maryland

From Northumberland to the Pennsylvania - Maryland
border the river includes a mix of islands rocky outcrops, deep pools and sections of
gravel bottom. The river is up a mile wide in some areas, especially near
Harrisburg. Anglers fishing this section of the river usually find smallmouth
bass to be the dominate species. This section of the river is also occupied by
rock bass, bluegill sunfish, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, musky,
chain pickerel, and other species.

Tidal Susquehanna River

Just south of the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, water exiting the Conowingo Dam
meets the tidal portion of the river. Below the dam, striped
bass, white perch, channel catfish, and other species are common. Along
Maryland's western shoreline, the river accessed by visiting Susquehanna State
Park or the City of Havre De Grace.

Near Havre De Grace, the Susquehanna merges with Chesapeake Bay along the Susquehanna Flats.
The flats area is dominated by countless acres of submerged aquatic grasses. In
early spring, this unique habitat becomes a major spawning ground and nursery
for striped bass and other species.

During the winter fishing season, anglers fish for chain pickerel, white perch,
yellow perch, channel catfish, and other species.
In spring, the Susquehanna River experiences an incredible volume of fishing activity. In its upper reaches, anglers fish for
American shad, hickory shad, and river herring.